Update: Here’s the show.
On the next Partisan Gridlock, Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00PM CST on KPFT, 90.1FM…
Last Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that that state’s ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional. Gays and lesbians there will now be permitted to enter into marriages recognized by the state. Writing for a unanimous majority, Justice Mark Cady (a Republican appointee) held:
We are firmly convinced that the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective. The legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification.
Iowa will begin issuing marriage licenses to gays and lesbians on April 24th.
Today, Vermont became the first state in the nation to legislatively legalize gay marriage. Democratic(!) Governor Jim Douglas vetoed the bill and the state house overrode the governor by a vote of 100-49.
I’ve long favored marriage equality. Listeners may recall that I was summarily canned by Michael Berry at 950 KPRC for asking listeners to state a non-religious based justification for excluding gays and lesbians from the government-sanctioned institution of marriage. Of course, there isn’t one — and that was the point. Your kooky religious views have no place dictating what the laws ought to be in my civil society.
It really is only a matter of time until gay, lesbian, bi, and transgendered people are granted the equal rights they deserve. Until then, it’s up to everyone who cares about justice and equality to stand with them and anyone else who finds themselves discriminated against.
On the show this week to defend what the religious right calls “traditional marriage” is Cathie Adams, President of the Texas Eagle Forum. Also appearing will be Mitchell Katine, gay rights advocate and lead lawyer on Lawrence v. Texas, the landmark Supreme Court case which struck down all of the nation’s sodomy laws.
[quote]It really is only a matter of time until gay, lesbian, bi, and transgendered people are granted the equal rights they deserve. Until then, it’s up to everyone who cares about justice and equality to stand with them and anyone else who finds themselves discriminated against.[/quote]
I agree, but also is a matter of keep pushing and being vocal about it. Some people often say “In a few years we will come to senses about this stuff, why bother about it?” like if the current trend towards equality doesn’t rely on people doing stuff.
Until I heard the first guest’s argument did I realize that I am in favor in Gay Marriage? I am a person of faith and as so I feel the faith is purely a person thing. The 3rd most important aspect of my faith is how you treat & care for humanity (person to person basis or as a whole) and part of that is not pushing my beliefs and practices on another individual or group of people. Our constitution calls for separation of Faith and State. Religion has been use to justify some much immoral event and action by those who are the supposed Righteous Chosen Group of GOD. Those that believe GOD to be this irate are foolish. We should all be entitled to Civil Liberties regardless Race, Creed, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, ETC. It is more Christian of you to protect that very concept. And less Christian of to deny someone freedom based on what you feel GOD has ordained for you not to do. To those homosexual please not all people of faith are closed minded and ignorant.